Classifications

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  • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
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  • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
  • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
  • G06Q30/0241—Advertisements
  • G06Q30/0251—Targeted advertisements
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  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
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  • G06Q30/0621—Item configuration or customization
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  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
  • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
  • G06Q30/0623—Item investigation
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  • G06Q30/0629—Directed, with specific intent or strategy for generating comparisons
• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
  • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
  • G06Q30/0631—Item recommendations
• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
  • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
  • G06Q30/0641—Shopping interfaces
  • G06Q30/0643—Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
  • G07F13/06—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
  • G07F13/065—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof for drink preparation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
  • G07F17/16—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
  • G07F17/18—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for washing or drying persons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
  • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
  • A61L2209/11—Apparatus for controlling air treatment
  • A61L2209/111—Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
  • G07F13/08—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs in the form of a spray

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to an interactive aroma dispensing system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to techniques, methods, systems and mechanisms for a visual interface between a consumer and an aroma blending device for enhanced user experience and driver of consumer insights. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method that enables consumers to experience the aromas of products prior to making in-store purchasing decisions.
• online / e-commerce marketing channels remain inferior to in store channels for many items that are targeted to a sense of touch, taste, vision or smell.
• a consumer may purchase a food or beverage using an online supplier, if that product is a food or beverage which the consumer is intimately familiar with and often purchases. It is unlikely, however, that a consumer will purchase a presently unknown food or beverage from the online supplier, since the purchase would be made relatively blindly. Instead, a consumer would more likely be interested in a new food or beverage after being exposed to it within a retail / grocery store, assuming the aroma is pleasant to the consumer.
• a new food or beverage product may be available on a store shelf, packaged such that a consumer may not have the ability to smell or taste the product, apart from viewing the packaging. While the packaging may include pictures, icons and/or descriptions regarding its taste and aroma, consumers often are still left with uncertainty regarding whether the product would be enjoyable. In earlier eras, consumers may have been able to enter marketplaces or bakeries and directly experience food or beverage samples with all five of their senses. Aside from limited and very costly (to the advertiser) free sample kiosks in some stores, and the fruits/vegetables counters, it is rarely possible for modem consumers to experience many food products with more than their visual senses prior to purchase.
• an interactive aroma dispensing system includes an aroma blending device adapted to deliver at least one aroma substance to the nasal cavities of a consumer; a user interface configured for inputting and displaying information regarding the at least one aroma substance; and a memory component that stores a computer algorithm, the computer algorithm causing the system to analyze the input information in real-time in order to classify aroma preferences of the consumer, including recommending one or more in-store consumer products suitable to the consumer’s aroma preferences.
• a method for sampling an aroma associated with an in store consumer product comprises the steps of: (a) receiving identifying information from at least one consumer product; (b) identifying the consumer product; (c) retrieving data for the consumer product; (d) displaying an image of the consumer product along with at least one menu option; (e) selecting the menu option to sample the aroma associated with the consumer product; (f) generating at least one aroma substance for the selected consumer product; and (g) delivering the generated aroma substance to the nasal cavities of a consumer.
• a method for recommending an in-store consumer product matching a consumer’s aroma profile comprises the steps of: (a) displaying a screen having a plurality of selectable menu options related to aromas; (b) selecting the menu option associated with a particular aroma; (c) generating a set of aroma substances one by one for evaluation; (d) delivering the set of generated aroma substance to the nasal cavities of a consumer one by one; (e) collecting input information from a consumer regarding liking or disliking for each generated aroma substance; (f) analyzing the input information in order to classify the aroma preferences of the consumer in real-time; (g) using the analysis from step (f) to generate a customized aroma profile for the consumer; and (h) recommending one or more in-store consumer products matching to the consumer’s aroma profile.
• FIG. 1 depicts an interactive aroma dispensing system according to embodiments shown and described herein;
• FIG. 2 depicts an interactive aroma dispensing system of FIG. 1 according to embodiments shown and described herein;
• FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart for sampling an aroma associated with an in-store consumer product, according to embodiments shown and described herein;
• FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart for recommending one or more in-store consumer products matching to a consumer’s aroma preferences, according to embodiments shown and described herein;
• FIG. 4A depicts a screen shot which may be used and is an example of block 420 within FIG. 4;
• FIG. 5 depicts a screen shot which may be used and is an example of block 450 within FIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart for creating a customized aroma profile for a consumer linked to in-store consumer products, according to embodiments shown and described herein;
• FIG. 7 depicts a screen shot which may be used and is an example of block 510 within FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 depicts a screen shot which may be used and is an example of blocks 570 and 580 within FIG. 6.
• Interactive aroma dispensing systems can be configured to provide information and/or dispense aroma substances without the presence of a salesperson or vendor.
• a system may dispense aroma substances characteristic of an in-store consumer product so that consumers can experience the products with more than their visual senses prior to purchase.
• the system may be configured to provide consumers with coupons for a discount on a product that the consumer indicated that they liked based on the aroma substance that they sampled.
• companies may use or rent an interactive aroma dispensing system in order to promote a particular consumer product or products in exchange for consumer information that is collected, for example, product preference information.
• the interactive aroma dispensing system may be configured to provide consumers the ability to“build a flavor” based on a series of questions, sampling aromas and input received from the consumer, for example aroma profiles related to mango, i.e. do you like green or ripe mango.
• the interactive aroma dispensing system may be configured to collect information from consumers related to personality or feelings of the consumer and based on the consumer’s responses, the system may recommend particular foods or fragrances or products to purchase.
• Various embodiments of systems are described herein with exemplary references to food and beverage products.
• fragrances and various fragrance containing cosmetic and personal care products such as for example, candles, fabric and air freshening sprays and body deodorants, laundry detergents and additives, room fresheners or room deodorants, household cleansers, toilet bowl cleaners, dish detergents, body washes, shampoos, conditioners and the like.
• the term“consumable” refers to products for consumption by a subject, typically via the oral cavity (although consumption may occur via non-oral means such as inhalation), for at least one of the purposes of enjoyment, nourishment, or health and wellness benefits.
• FIG. 1 is a front view of kiosk 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the kiosk 100 includes a housing 110, an aroma blending device 120 (not shown), including a sniffing port 130, and a user interface 140 that can communicate with consumers.
• the kiosk 100 includes an aroma blending device or scent delivery device 120.
• the aroma blending device 120 may include remote, electrically actuatable scent-release components based on latchable magnetic, piezoelectric, or thermally actuatable switches and mechanisms.
• the aroma blending device 120 may use cold diffusion technology, which, for example, generates a scented gas without the use of heating as a primary mechanism to evaporate a scent carrying liquid.
• the device 120 may also be structured to include a compartment to hold cartridges containing one or a plurality of scented substances or flavors.
• the aroma blending device 120 may be an olfactometer device (an instrument capable of exactly dosing a portion of a gaseous phase which is present due to the vapor pressure of a sample or in the form of a liquid or a solid) for example the Virtual Aroma Synthesizer® device or miniVASTM device, both developed and owned by Givaudan.
• an olfactometer device an instrument capable of exactly dosing a portion of a gaseous phase which is present due to the vapor pressure of a sample or in the form of a liquid or a solid
• the Virtual Aroma Synthesizer® device or miniVASTM device both developed and owned by Givaudan.
• aroma blending device 120 may include input/output hardware 200, a processor 210 and a memory component 220.
• the input/output hardware 200 may include and/or be configured to interface with the user interface 140 for receiving, sending, and/or presenting data.
• the processor 210 may include any processing component operable to receive and execute instructions, such as from the memory component.
• the memory component 220 may be configured as volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and, as such, may include random access memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of RAM), flash memory, secure digital (SD) memory, registers, compact discs (CD), digital versatile discs (DVD), and/or other types of non- transitory computer-readable mediums. Depending on the particular embodiment, these non-transitory computer-readable mediums may reside within the IADS and/or external to the kiosk 100.
• FIG. 2 It should be understood that the components illustrated in FIG. 2 are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.
• the memory component may be configured to store operating logic 222, aroma blending device 120 software applications and consumer product application 224.
• the operating logic 222 may include an operating system and/or other software for managing components of the kiosk 100.
• the blending of the aroma substances is performed using software loaded onto the aroma blending device 120.
• An example of such software is Aroma ComposerTM Software developed by Givaudan Flavors Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• the Aroma ComposerTM Software controls the ratios and intensities of the ingredient samples or aroma substances delivered to the sniffing port 130 for evaluation by a consumer.
• the automated real-time data analysis of the input information of the consumer may be performed using a software algorithm loaded onto the aroma blending device 120.
• An example of such software is ATOMTM Software developed by Givaudan Flavors Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• the ATOMTM software uses data science and predictive analytics to analyze the data collected from consumers in real-time.
• the memory component 220 may include a consumer product application 224 that operationally interfaces with consumers via visual and/or audible signals, textual instructions, animations, videos, dialogue boxes, selector buttons, icons, prompts and/or other features provided to consumers via the user interface 140.
• the consumer product application 224 interfaces with consumers via a plurality of virtual menu options and sub-options that allow consumers to answer questions or input information to the kiosk 100.
• the user interface 140 may include at least one display screen, 3D projector and/or a touch screen that can provide information to and receive information from consumers. The user interface 140 may be configured to receive input information from a consumer regarding sensorial characteristics associated with the at least one aroma substance.
• touch screens may be used in accordance with the present disclosure.
• Some examples of touch screens include resistive, capacitive, surface acoustic wave, infrared, strain gage (i.e., force panel), optical, dispersive signal, acoustic pulse, and coded LCD.
• the touch screens should be compatible with a retail environment and be resistant to liquids and common kitchen cleaning chemicals.
• the user interface 140 may be integral or may be a separate component to the kiosk 100.
• the user interface 140 may include other input devices that can provide and/or receive consumer information, such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick or other such physical input device, hand gesture recognition means through a camera or by voice activation means through a speaker or smart speaker.
• Examples of commercially available smart speakers include the“Echo” product available from Amazon.com, Inc. and the“Google Home” product available from Google Inc. Products in this category are arranged to respond to voice commands and to give audio responses to users. Products in this category may offer a voice-implemented intelligent personal assistant software service.
• the Amazon Echo device the personal assistant service has been branded with the name“Alexa”.
• the Google Home device the personal assistant service has been branded with the name“Google Assistant”. Both of these software-based assistant services are in widespread use.
• Input may also be made remotely via an intranet or internet connection, e.g. from a remote computer or smart phone. It is also possible to combine several of these input methods, thereby allowing several users to access the system simultaneously and/or consecutively.
• the kiosk 100 may further include a support arm 102 for mounting the user interface 140 above or over the kiosk 100.
• the kiosk 100 may also include one or more detectors 150 for detecting events using an electrically coupled control unit.
• the detectors 150 can be a variety of one or more devices for receiving an event in direct proximity with the detectors.
• the detector(s) 150 is shown to be visible, but can otherwise concealed, disguised, or minimized.
• the detectors 150 can take many forms, for example including cameras, infrared detectors, and accelerometers.
• the detectors 150 can also take the form of charge-coupled devices (CCD), near-field communication chips (NFC), active pixel sensors (APS), CMOS sensors, and has emerged as an alternative to Charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors, chemical detectors, reverse-biased LEDs, optical detectors, bolometers, pyroelectric detectors, golay cells, thermocouples, thermistors, light dependent resistors (LDR), photovoltaic cells, solar cells, photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes, phototubes, phototransistors, and/or quantum dot photoconductors.
• the detectors can also be wireless devices configured for one or more wireless technology standards, such as SMS, Bluetooth, 802.11000, or ANT+.
• the detectors 150 can be utilized for detecting various events such as user proximity to the detector, and thereby enter or alter one or more operational modes. Such events can include light intensity detection for ambient light detection, where the touch screen is made dimmer or brighter based on changes in the detected light intensity.
• the detectors could detect the presence of a passerby, i.e., someone not in direct proximity to the kiosk 100 and as a result display a commercial, video, or some other attraction on the touch screen to call attention to the kiosk 100 and its availability for use.
• the user can be a normal user or an authorized user holding a certain device, such as an RFID chip or wireless device.
• the kiosk 100 may grant access to a managerial screen, such as a service menu described below, for accessing and altering operational modes.
• one or more detectors are used for motion sensing. For example, following a period of no motion, the control system transitions into a pre determined sleep and/or energy saver mode (increasing display life). The recovery from this mode is triggered by the next motion event detected.
• the manner of the recovery can take several forms. For example, the kiosk can revert to the display that was being displayed prior to sleep mode, such as a screen saver routine. Another example is the playing of a commercial or attraction video on the display of the kiosk for the purpose of calling attention to the kiosk 100 and its availability for use, without the user needing to make direct contact.
• An attraction video for example, can be a brightly animated or flashing video meant to attract the attention of an indirectly proximate user, i.e., a person standing 3-6 meters away from the kiosk without a direct line of sight to the kiosk 100. This has the advantage of calling attention to the kiosk 100 from a distance.
• a promotional RFID or NFC chip can be attached to a consumer product, such as packaging. Detection of the promotional RFID of NFC chip can result in the kiosk 100 switching display to a promotional message.
• the kiosk 100 may also include a scanner that can be configured to read bar codes for various consumer products located in the store.
• the kiosk 100 may include a quick response (QR) scanner that can read a QR code (consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on white background) imprinted on a product or product packaging.
• QR code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on white background
• a two-dimensional barcode can include rectangles, dots, hexagons, and other geometric patterns.
• Non-limiting examples of two-dimensional barcodes can include CyberCodes, Data Matrices, Datastrip Codes, High Capacity Color Barcodes (HCCB), Dot Codes, EZcodes, mobile multi-colored composites (MMCC), PDF417, ShotCodes, MaxiCodes, SPARQCodes, Snap Tags, and combinations thereof.
• the kiosk 100 may be used to tell the story behind a product.
• a consumer may scan a vanilla flavored yogurt barcode and the kiosk may show a video that tells the consumer the story behind the creation of the scanned product, i.e. the vanilla flavor comes from vanilla beans grown and harvested in Madgascar, the milk comes from a Wisconsin dairy farm, and while the video is playing consumers could smell aroma of the product.
• the kiosk 100 may also include a receipt or coupon dispenser that can be coupled to a printer within the housing 110.
• the kiosk 100 can be configured to dispense coupons (for example, $1 off coupons) to a consumer via the dispenser for a product that the consumer indicated that they liked based on the aroma substance that they sampled.
• the kiosk 100 may be configured to send the consumer a virtual coupon or discount code via email, text message or an application on a user computing device.
• the kiosk 100 may also communicate with a user computing device.
• the term user computing device refers to any portable device capable of running one or more software applications and also can be connected to the Internet or one or more computer networks.
• User computing devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones (for example, iPhone or Android), tablets, netbooks, GPS devices, e-readers, iPads, and mobile game consoles (for example, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP).
• a user computing device may be configured to communicate with the kiosk 100 via a network.
• the kiosk 100 may send stored data to the user computing device for later access by a user.
• the kiosk 100 may identify the user and receive an indication that the user wishes to be sent information regarding consumer products. Accordingly, the kiosk 100 may send the product information to the user computing device.
• the interactive aroma dispensing system is depicted as a kiosk, this is merely an example.
• the kiosk 100 may include comprehensive social media capabilities.
• the user interface 140 may include a series of display pages suitable for sharing the user’s experience at the kiosk 100 with one or more people via a social media website, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Linkedln, Google+, YouTube etc in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.
• a display page on the user interface 140 may provide a consumer with a“log-in” button enabling the user to log-in to a social media account directly from the kiosk 100.
• the display pages would allow the user to elect to post the results of their interaction with the kiosk 100 to their“profile” or other portion of a social media website.
• Various embodiments of the display pages referenced above may provide a personalized automated experience through integration with social networks, allowing the consumer to share their individual experiences at the kiosk 100.
• Integration of the user log-in with preferred social media websites would enable the kiosk 100 operators or sponsors (e.g. a grocery store or consumer product company) to integrate specific information about their products with information provided on the social media site when the consumer logs-in at the kiosk 100. If the consumer logs-in with their social media credentials, a“friends” list can be retrieved and information regarding the friends’ interactions with the kiosk 100, for example, favorite aroma of tortilla chips or flavored water, can be displayed for comparison. Further, in another embodiment, a consumer may interact with kiosk 100 and social media websites via a user computing device.
• the user interface 140 may be a touch screen in which a consumer touches the touch screen which causes a command signal to be sent to a processor 210.
• the processor may send a new graphical configuration to the touch screen.
• the new graphical configuration may be a screen with a plurality of selectable options.
• the options may be configured as discernable buttons that indicate different kinds of consumer products, for example, beverages.
• a“button” with respect to the touch screen is intended to mean a zone on the touch screen which is predetermined to respond to a touch by a user.
• the entirety of the touch screen may be considered a button when the sleep mode is displayed, while only select portions of the welcome screen or other screens are considered buttons.
• method 300 for sampling an aroma associated with an in-store consumer product includes the steps of: step 310, the kiosk 100 can receive identifying data from a consumer product, such as from markers, from scanning a bar code or QR code, from an image capture device or from a wireless communication between kiosk 100 and a consumer product.
• the kiosk 100 can identify the consumer product.
• the kiosk 100 can retrieve product data from a local and/or remote location.
• the kiosk 100 can render an image of the product in order to provide an interactive interface with a plurality of menu options, including an option to sample the aroma associated with the chosen consumer product.
• the consumer selects his or her choice, for example, by touching the user interface 140.
• the aroma blending device 120 generates an at least one aroma substance for the selected consumer product and delivers the generated aroma substance to the nasal cavities of consumer.
• the kiosk 100 may also provide the consumer with other menu options including the ability to sample the aroma of other products in the same line-up or array. For example, if the consumer product selected is an orange flavored beverage, once the consumer has smelled the orange flavor according to method 300, the kiosk 100 may provide the consumer with the option of also smelling a cherry or grape version of the same beverage in order to determine which flavor the consumer prefers.
• the kiosk 100 may provide the consumer with the option of also smelling other flavors in the same line up or array (e.g., salsa verde, spicy nacho, cool ranch, sweet chili or buffalo) in order to determine which flavor or flavors the consumer prefers.
• the kiosk 100 may also provide the consumer the ability to rank the products in order of liking or preference and to share this information via social media as discussed above.
• the kiosk 100 may also recommend other beverages or products with an aroma profile that best matches the one preferred by the consumer.
• method 300 may be carried out in a grocery store, department store, big -box store, restaurants or other retail establishments with the aid of a kiosk 100.
• step 410 includes a welcome screen which identifies the kiosk 100 and any associated food and/or beverage products that may be using the kiosk 100 for marketing.
• step 420 displays a screen having a plurality of selectable options related to in-store consumer products and associated aromas.
• the screen may have a plurality of selectable options related to flavored beverages.
• the options may be configured as discernable buttons 425 that indicate different flavors of beverages. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, eight discernable buttons 425 are shown, although more or less may be used depending on the desired amount of flavors.
• a consumer may make a selection from the options and input information is collected from consumer regarding at least one in-store consumer product.
• input information may be collected from a consumer by a self- assessment, i.e., questioning means, that is, by the consumer's answering questions, which are asked of him or her, electronically, such as via the display on the kiosk 100.
• a consumer may submit answers to the questions by typing on a keyboard, touching a responsive screen, speaking an answer, or the like.
• the precise manner and wording chosen to collect input information from the consumer may vary depending on local custom, the comfort level of consumers in discussing food and beverage characteristics, and the meaning associated with terms which may be used in different parts of the world to collect information desired. It is to be further understood that the methods of the present disclosure are not to be limited to any one type of question asking methodology or philosophy.
• the aroma blending device 120 generates at least one aroma substance for the selected consumer product and delivers the generated aroma substance to the nasal cavities of consumer.
• user preference(s) are received related to the generated aroma substance.
• the process may return to step 430 for another selection.
• a rating scale may be displayed on the touch screen in order to capture the preference of the consumer. For example, in FIG. 5, a screen shot of a sample scale is shown that uses a scale from one to five stars for the consumer to indicate liking.
• the kiosk 100 recommends one or more in-store consumer products matching to the consumer’s aroma preferences.
• the kiosk 100 may include a bar code scanner or QR scanner that could scan the code of various consumer products and predict and inform a consumer of a projected liking or disliking of a product based on the consumer’s input at step 450.
• method 400 may be carried out in a grocery store, department store, big-box store or other retail establishment with the aid of a kiosk 100.
• the kiosk 100 may be used as a marketing device.
• a beverage company may wish to use the kiosk 100 as part of a new to the market product launch, with the goal being that after interaction with the kiosk 100, a consumer will be more likely to purchase the new product.
• the kiosk 100 can render an image (virtual or authentic) of the new product in order to provide an interactive interface with a plurality of menu options, including an option to sample the aroma associated with the new product.
• a consumer may sample the aroma of the new product by touching the user interface 140.
• an aroma blending device generates an aroma substance for the new product and delivers the generated aroma substance to the nasal cavities of consumer.
• Use of the kiosk 100 as a marketing device enables consumers to experience the aroma(s) of new product(s) prior to making in-store purchasing decisions.
• step 510 includes a welcome screen (as shown in FIG. 7) which provides a consumer with the option to “Build Your Own Flavor.” If the consumer selects this option by selecting the“Build Your Own Flavor” button, step 520 may display a screen having a plurality of aroma categories to choose from.
• the categories may include fruits and berries, vegetables, herbs and spices, dairy, vanilla, mint, meat, poultry, fish and seafood.
• a consumer may select the flavor category, for example, fruits and berries.
• Another screen may then display a plurality of fruits and berries to choose from, for example, mango, strawberry, orange, raspberry, blueberry, watermelon, pineapple etc.
• a consumer may make a selection from the options. Once the consumer drills down and selects the flavor they wish to build, for example, mango, the kiosk 100 will prompt the consumer to begin the process of building a flavor. Other options may include an option to educate consumers about their particular selection through the use of videos or animations, for example a“Story” option or“World” option.
• the kiosk 100 will prepare a plurality of“mango” samples (l-N) for the consumer to smell, for example 5-6 different mango aromas. For each“mango” sample, the aroma blending device 120 generates an aroma substance and delivers it to the nasal cavities of consumer one by one for evaluation.
• the consumer will indicate whether the aroma is preferred or not preferred.
• a rating scale may be displayed on the touch screen in order to capture the preference of the consumer.
• FIG. 5 a screen shot of a sample scale is shown that uses a scale from one to five stars for the consumer to indicate liking. The consumer will repeat this process for each sample that is generated by the aroma blending device 120.
• the input information from step 550 is analyzed with the aid of computer hardware and software.
• the kiosk 100 may use software, for example, ATOMTM software described above.
• the kiosk 100 displays a custom aroma profile for the consumer based on the input information.
• This custom profile may include a list of sensory characteristics for the selected aroma, both positive and negative, based upon the consumer input in step 540.
• a list of positive and negative mango descriptors may be displayed for the consumer to view, i.e. sulfury, tropical, green melon, carroty, fleshy, fruity, juicy, and sweet.
• the kiosk 100 recommends one or more in-store consumer products matching to the consumer’s aroma profile or preferences for mango. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the kiosk 100 may recommend the top 3 market products that most closely match the consumer’s“liking” profile that resulted from method 500.
• the kiosk 100 may include an option to predict and inform a consumer of a projected liking or disliking of a product based on the consumer’s input at step 550. For example, if the consumer is interested in purchasing a mango yogurt or mango beverage, the kiosk 100 could recommend that the consumer would most likely prefer DANNON mango yogurt over CHOBANI mango yogurt or BUBLY mango water over BAI mango water. In another embodiment, the kiosk 100 may also dispense a coupon for the recommended product.
• the kiosk 100 may be used for consumer understanding or consumer preference testing. For example, a group of consumers could be pre-selected or walk-in to the kiosk 100 in a public place, and each consumer would use the kiosk 100 to sample a number of different aromas or profiles. After each sample the consumer may indicate a liking or disliking of the sample and the consumer’s choices may be ranked. This type of consumer insight information is very valuable to companies.
• Such consumer insight may be used by companies to understand what is now and what is next for flavor or fragrance trends; flavor drivers; examine attitudes toward new flavors or fast-growing ingredients; learn how consumer preferences are changing and leam what flavors or fragrances are trending upwards; uncover impactful insights about a specific brand; measure brand equity, perception and performance against a competitive set; and identify strengths and weaknesses of a brand.
• a food or beverage company may use the kiosk 100 for a pilot test before launching a new product.
• a company may use the kiosk 100 to gather insight with respect to yogurt and some typical information may include: “flavor” drives more than half (54%) of consumers yogurt purchases, with berry tops among both adults (60%) and children (58%); Tropical isn’t far behind, with 43% and 47% of adults and parents citing it, respectively; Vanilla has fans among adults (46%) and children (43%), but coffee wins with only 20% of Baby Boomers and 18% of 15-to-17-year-olds; Flavors like “vegetable” and‘‘botanical/ floral’’ appeal to Gen Xers and Boomers alike, and even 22% of 3-to-5-year-olds consume“vegetable” yogurt; Gen Z consumers are the biggest patrons of“spicy” flavors— even if at only 6%— while those in the Silent Generation don’t care for“spicy” yogurt at all; As

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